Firefighters Use Radio To Broadcast Safety Message

Two fire-rescue workers have gone Hollywood in their efforts to teach South Florida residents about fire prevention and safety.

For two years, Mike Debrecht and Frank Correggio have been producing a community television show for Boca Raton.

The duo began a radio broadcast in Palm Beach and Broward counties last week to further promote their safety messages. "We're trying to bring a fresh approach to the radio talk shows dealing with community issues and fire safety," said Correggio, who is producing Burning Issues.

The show will be broadcast on WNN 980-AM on Fridays from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Debrecht, a former Lighthouse Point fire-rescue worker, will be the talk-show host and plans to bring in a variety of guests from the local community.

Correggio will schedule guests. Some future guests will include fire-rescue workers from Palm Beach and Broward counties, local state legislators and doctors.

"The people need to be educated about what we do," Debrecht said. "We don't just sit around the station playing cards while waiting for calls."

In fact, fire-rescue workers are responsible for at least one hour of physical training while on-duty, are assigned multiple training exercises and have to inspect and care for equipment between calls.

Both Debrecht and Correggio have plenty of experience, so they can tell war stories, when needed, to fill air time or come up with discussion ideas.

Debrecht worked for Lighthouse Point for five years before joining Boca Raton Fire-Rescue in 1987. Correggio has been a Boca Raton Fire-Rescue worker for 17 years.

"I also have a couple of years in broadcasting behind me from college," Correggio said.

Burning Issues also will air several public service announcement during breaks to teach residents about safety techniques and tips.

The first 13 shows cost about $2,600 for the air time and the Professional Firefighters/Paramedics of Palm Beach County paid the bill.

Jay Remington, a county fire-rescue worker who is the group's community projects chairman, said the money, which was raised mostly through membership dues, is worth it.

"It's a good way to give back something to the public," Remington said. "We know what the problems are - child drownings, how to perform CPR, elderly slip-and-falls. "This is a way to help educate the people about these issues."

Debrecht said he hopes that advertising spots during the first 13 shows will raise enough money to help pay for the next 13 weeks.

"We're not looking to make a profit, we're looking to stay on the air," Correggio said. "If we do make a profit, we will give it to some of the local charities."